Urban bodies poll record 91.38% turn out
Counting will commence on January 7
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, January 05 2011:
With the peaceful re-poll at three polling stations in two Lilong Nagar Panchayats Wednesday the state election commission has started preparations for the counting of votes on Friday,January 7 .
The elections to the eight municipal councils excluding the Imphal Municipal Council and 18 Nagar Panchayats were held last Monday with overall voter turn out of 91.38% .
The re-polls were held after incidents of snatching of ballot boxes and damaging of ballot papers.
Officials said that except for some violent incidents at three Nagar Panchayat polling stations in Imphal and Thoubal districts, polling in other stations was by and large peaceful.
Polling was disturbed in two polling stations in Lilong (Imphal west) Nagar panchayat, when ballot papers of polling station number 3/1 (Chajing Kangjeibung Jr H/S-west wing) and 3/2 (Chajing Kangjeibung Jr H/S-east wing) at Lilong Chajing were snatched and damaged by supporters of contending candidates.
At 3/1 polling station, some ballot papers were torn following a quarrel among polling agents of rival candidates and ballot boxes at 3/2 polling station were snatched away.
Likewise, at Rajendra Govt H/S polling station of Lilong Nagar Panchayat (Thoubal district), one ballot box was seized by some workers of a candidate who overpowered polling officials and dropped the ballot box into the river.
The ballot box which was snatched away after 269 votes cast was later recovered by security personnel but polling could not be resumed on the day.
The re-poll at these three polling stations was held today under tight security.
The polling was conducted peacefully in all the three polling stations with a high turn out of voters.
In all, a total of 1797 candidates contested for the eight municipal councils (excluding Imphal municipal council) and 18 Nagar Panchayats.
A total of 2,19,616 voters including 1,06,839 male voters and 1,12,777 female voters were eligible to vote.
Official put the overall poll percentage at 91.38 .
Jiribam Municipal Council recorded a 94.37 % turn out, Mayang Imphal,93.45%, Thoubal MC, 92%, Kakching MC, 87.51%, Nambol MC, 91%, Bishnupur MC, 90.12%, Ningthoukhong MC, 88% and Moirang MC, 86.34% .
For the Nagar Panchayats, where elections were simultaneously held, Andro recorded 91.32% turn out, Lamlai, 94.10%, Sekmai, 87.11%, Lilong, 92.3%, Samurou, 96.69%, Wangoi, 94.20%, Thongkhong Luxmi Bazar, 93.10%, Lilong of Thoubal district, 92.44%, Yairipok, 85.3%, Heirok, 95.3%, Wangjing Lamding, 90.4%, Kakching Khunou, 88.66%, Sugnu, 86.63%, Oinam, 90%, Kwakta, 89.41% and Kumbi, 90% .
The counting of votes of both Municipal Councils and Nagar Panchayats will be held at the Imphal East Mini Secretariat building, Porompat JNIMS complex.
Preparation for the smooth conduct of the counting has been made, officials said.
Security has also been tightened in and around the counting site ahead of the counting day by promulgating section 144 of CrPC, the source added.